Helena holds a degree in Economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), a master's degree in Economics from the same institution, a MBA from Coppead and a graduate degree in Digital Transformation from PUC-RJ. She has been a career employee at BNDES since 1998, having recently worked as Head of the Operations and Microcredit Department in the Indirect Operations and Superintendent of the Communication and Institutional Relationship Area at BNDES. She was also vice-president of the New Club of Paris, a think-tank on knowledge economy. As of January 2023, she took over as Director of People, IT and Operations at BNDES.